Karachi (Staff Report): The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday ordered to probe Rs73 billion loans taken out by the Omni Group and warned of strict action against those who defy the court orders.
The Supreme Court (SC) resumed hearing of the case regarding fake bank accounts at its Karachi Registry. These fake accounts were used to launder over Rs100 billion out of Pakistan.
The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) head Ahsan Sadiq, along with other officials, was present in the court. He informed the court that Omni Group owed Rs73 billion in loans, of which Rs23 billion was owed to the National Bank of Pakistan and the rest to other private banks.
Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar directed that an inquiry be conducted into the loans owed by the Omni Group. He warned that there will be strict action against those who fail to follow the court orders.
The CJ remarked that he would summon response from the Group after reviewing the final report on the matter. The court was informed about the poor cooperation by the Sindh government other departments in the investigation.
The CJP asked to meet the chief minister in his chamber to discuss the matter about non-cooperation complaints and clarified that he was not summoning CM Murad Ali Shah.
The chief justice remarked that he would remain in Karachi till the JIT receives all the records it needs in its probe. He remarked that the provincial chief secretaries have assured the court of cooperation in the case.
This is pertinent to mention that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is investigating 32 people, including Asif Ali Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur in connection with money laundering from fake accounts.
Zardari’s close aide Hussain Lawai was arrested in July in connection with the probe.
Former president's other close aide and Omni Group chairman Anwar Majeed and his son, Abdul Ghani, were also arrested by FIA earlier this month whereas Majeed’s three other sons were granted interim bail.
Over 20 ‘benami’ accounts were opened in 2013, 2014 and 2015 in some banks from where transactions worth billions of rupees were made, according to sources.
According to FIA sources, the amount is said to be black money gathered from various kickbacks, commissions and bribes.
